Actually DC can be just as dangerous as AC. The heart muscle "clamps"
instead of going into VF. If the current vector goes across the chest, it
can be more dangerous than AC mains.

Yes, the "close to the voltage of the heart" is an old wive's tale (in fact
I haven't ever heard that tale myself). The ion channels that produce the
muscle contraction aren't working anywhere near telephone ringer voltage.

"Stubby" wrote in message
. ..

BTW, my father (an electrician) always said that ringer voltage was
esp. dangerous because it was close to the voltage of your heart. I
don't have any idea if that is true or just an old wives tale.

It's dangerous because it is AC and muscles respond to changes of voltage.